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Cowboys Trade for Steelers Cornerback Joey Porter Jr
Confirmed
In Short: Dallas acquired Porter in a trade with the Steelers, sending a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick in return.
Dallas acquired Porter in a trade with the Steelers, sending a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick in return.
Porter, who has not played this season due to a back injury, ranked among the NFL's top defenders in coverage last year.
The Steelers and Porter reached an impasse over contract negotiations, leading to the trade.
Dallas hopes Porter's addition will improve their defense, which started the season with a 1-2 record.
Porter's passer rating allowed in man coverage over the past four seasons is better than all but Derek Stingley Jr., making him a valuable asset.
However, Porter will need to adjust to Dallas's Vic Fangio-inspired defense, which requires players to play from greater depth.
The trade allows the Cowboys to move players like Bland inside and relocate Caleb Downs, creating a strong defensive lineup.
Dallas's defensive coordinator Christian Parker expects Porter to shadow WR1s, enhancing the team's coverage capabilities.
The trade is part of the Cowboys' ongoing effort to overhaul their defense, following previous deals involving star defensive players.
Porter's contract situation remains unclear, with the Cowboys not planning to sign him to an extension immediately, opting to play out the year on his current deal.
What this adds
The Steelers and Porter reached an impasse over guaranteed money in his contract.
Porter's back injury has been a point of contention, with some questioning the Steelers' handling of his medical clearance.
What's confirmed
- Dallas acquired Porter in a trade with the Steelers, sending a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick in return.
- Porter, who has not played this season due to a back injury, ranked among the NFL's top defenders in coverage last year.
- The Steelers and Porter reached an impasse over contract negotiations, leading to the trade.
- Dallas hopes Porter's addition will improve their defense, which started the season with a 1-2 record.
- Porter's passer rating allowed in man coverage over the past four seasons is better than all but Derek Stingley Jr., making him a valuable asset.
- However, Porter will need to adjust to Dallas's Vic Fangio-inspired defense, which requires players to play from greater depth.
- The trade allows the Cowboys to move players like Bland inside and relocate Caleb Downs, creating a strong defensive lineup.
- Dallas's defensive coordinator Christian Parker expects Porter to shadow WR1s, enhancing the team's coverage capabilities.
- The trade is part of the Cowboys' ongoing effort to overhaul their defense, following previous deals involving star defensive players.
- Porter's contract situation remains unclear, with the Cowboys not planning to sign him to an extension immediately, opting to play out the year on his current deal.
What's still developing
- The Steelers attempted to finalize an extension for Porter this offseason but did not come to resolution before the franchise's Week 1 negotiating deadline, which general manager Omar Khan told reporters in August the franchise did not plan to change.
- Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said later that month the team was at an "impasse" in contract negotiations with Porter.
- The news comes after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Cowboys had joined teams including the Detroit Lions in making inquiries about Porter.
- Dallas will hope adding more pass protection will help the team improve on a 1-2 start to the season.
- Porter has not allowed a touchdown on a regular-season coverage snap since Week 8 of the 2023 season, per NFL Next Gen Stats cited by former NFL scout Matt Williamson.
- McCarthy, who said in August he would like to coach Porter, will now hope to see his franchise make some more moves ahead of the deadline in order to bolster their secondary in Porter's absence.
- Porter was placed on the PUP list in early August after reportedly aggravating a back injury.
- The Cowboys will now continue that effort by addressing the secondary, which struggled early this season after losing Cobie Durant to injury.
- NFL analysts Ben Solak and Seth Walder are grading deals ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, which will pass on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m.
- Parker's Vic Fangio-inspired defense will require Porter to play from greater depth than he did in Pittsburgh, and the communication and keys required in that match-heavy system will take some getting used to.
- Jamel Dean, another third-contract player signed to play corner opposite Porter, now has to cover WR1s alongside Asante Samuel Jr. and 2026 third-round pick Daylen Everette.
- When grading trades, we evaluate them for each team based on on-field impact, cap implications, draft compensation and effects within the context of a team's overall short- and long-term outlooks.